Hospital campaigner's call to look to future

A GROUP of Stafford health campaigners who banded together to save the town's A&E department have urged people to look to the future of care services in the town.

Sue Hawkins, who formed Support Stafford Hospital alongside Cheryl Porter and Karen Howell, said because the fledgling group had only formed in 2010 it wasn’t her place comment on the past but she did feel able to talk about the present.

“We have been attending monthly trust board meetings along with many other meetings and have watched the objective improvements within the trust since 2010,” she said. “We have been at public meetings and listened to the trust, led by Lyn Hill-Tout being open with us, admitting that they do not always get it right but trying very hard to constantly improve.”

She said the trust had presented objective markers and shown commitment to the future and to the community.

“Finally and most importantly we have been out meeting people,” said Mrs Hawkins. “We have listened and are confident in saying that the vast majority of our community are supportive of our hospital.

“People want local services for local people.”

Mrs Hawkins pointed to the 20,000 strong petition delivered to 10 Downing Street in support of 24hr A&E services at Stafford Hospital.

“The management team we have today is a different team from when the Francis Inquiry took place,” she said. “Speculation does not help anyone.

“For the sake of all the community, we need to engage with our hospital and look to future,” said Mrs Hawkins. “This is our future. Our focus now, as a community, must be to see that the Clinical Commissioning Group delivers vital services to the local community, accessibly and safely.”